Health Watch: Healthful tips for enjoying the holiday season to the fullest

Friday

Nov 30, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 30, 2012 at 3:44 PM

GHNS' weekly Health Watch, with holiday health tips, new research to predict diseases in women, and winter sports safety for the entire family

It's the most wonderful time of the year — but are you able to enjoy the holidays completely? The approaching holiday season means quality time with family, special deliveries in the mail and goodies that delight the taste buds. With a few simple steps, you'll prepare yourself for your best holiday season yet, one where you feel healthy and enjoy every moment. But it's important to be prepared and stay healthy throughout the season so you can enjoy every festive moment.

Consider these holiday health essentials that allow you to enjoy the season to the fullest:

1. Do you see what I see? The sights of the holidays are a delight, but for the millions of people who have trouble seeing small images and print, many traditional holiday activities can be difficult to do. An easy solution is a stylish pair of reading glasses. Consider LightSpecs(R), reading glasses with a light that can be turned on to help you see better in dim areas, ideal for when you want to read holiday greeting cards or recite 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' to the kids.

2. Avoid a blue Christmas. The holiday season is a special time of year that coincides with another, less anticipated time: cold and flu season. No one wants to end up stuck in bed with a nasty bug missing out on all the festivities. That's why now is the time to stock up on soap and hand sanitizer. Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, so be sure to scrub up often, including before you cook, bake, eat or hold your precious grandchild.

3. Bundle up to walk in a winter wonderland. Winter and the holidays go hand-in-hand, which means colder weather is to be expected, including ice and snow. Keep healthy by protecting your body from the elements. When running about town shopping and grabbing holiday essentials, be sure to wear a scarf, mittens and boots if the weather is chilly so you can stay warm and dry. The winter wonderland atmosphere is sure to enhance your holiday mood, but catching a cold, or worse yet, frost bite, will leave you feeling like a grinch.

4. Too many cups of cheer? Medication can help. Sugar plums, roasted chestnuts, figgy pudding — while your holiday meals may not include these types of historic holiday fare, you're probably noshing on a variety of treats you don't eat at other times of the year. Eating rich foods and trying new dishes is naturally a part of celebrating the season, but it can leave you with an upset stomach. Whether you're hosting an event at your home, or traveling to another location for the holidays, be sure to stock up on antacid and other over-the-counter remedies for stomach troubles.

-- Brandpoint

New Research: Fast cycling benefits Parkinson's patients

According to Jay L. Alberts, a neuroscientist at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, "forced-rate bicycle exercise is an effective, low-cost therapy for Parkinson's disease." Alberts found that cycling on a stationary bike may benefit people with Parkinson's, especially if they cycle hard and fast.

The results of this study were presented on Monday at the Radiologial Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting in Chicago. Alberts, co-researcher Chintan Shah, and other colleagues described how cycling, especially at rates above what patients would choose for themselves, appeared to make regions of the brain that deal with movement connect to each other more effectively.

-- MedicalNewsToday.com

Did You Know?

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that 88.4 million U.S. dogs and cats — 54 percent — are overweight or obese. That can lead to health problems such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers.

-- Family Features

Health Tip: Year-round fitness tips

Start Small: If you haven’t been active in a long time, don’t stress your muscles by doing too much too fast. Start slowly by taking the stairs or squeezing in a 20-minute jog on your lunch break.

Grab a Partner: You can improve exercise performance by having a partner who pushes you to your limits.

-- Family Features

Number to Know

76 million: U.S. adults diagnosed with high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association.

Children's Health: Winter sports safety

As with all sports, it's important to take the proper precautions to stay safe. Helmets are a must when kids are skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Knee pads, wrist guards, and shin guards also should be worn during winter sports. Even a low-speed spill can be damaging to delicate bones and joints.

To avoid hypothermia and frostbite, be sure the entire family is well protected against the cold. Layers work best: begin with an undergarment made of a synthetic fiber that will wick away perspiration. A light shirt or turtleneck can go over that, followed by a sweater or fleece for warmth. Layers can always be added or removed as needed, and don't forget a hat, gloves, and sunglasses.

And apply sunscreen — snow functions as a reflecting agent and can intensify the sun's rays on skin, so kids can get a sunburn even during winter.